NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Redskins

Cowboys

Cowboys WR Allen Hurns is making progress in his rehab from a dislocated left ankle and fractured left tibia. 

“Allen’s doing great,” Cowboys HC Jason Garrett said via Pro Football Talk. “He is a true pro and just going about it the right way every day, and he’s made tremendous progress. He’s been working with our rehab guys, [athletic trainer] Britt Brown, and he’s just done a fantastic job. We’ll just continue to be deliberate with him coming back. Obviously, a very serious injury, but he’s made great progress and really looks good.”

Giants

• Giants sixth-round DB Corey Ballentine, who was shot and injured just a day after being drafted, participated in on the field for position drills during Thursday’s practice. (Art Stapleton)
• Dan Duggan reports that the Giants signed DT John Jenkins to a one-year, $845,000 deal that includes no guaranteed money. He has a base salary of $805,000 to go along with a $25,000 roster bonus and a $15,000 workout bonus.

Redskins

The Redskins quarterback competition between first-round pick Dwayne Haskins and veteran Case Keenum won’t really pick up until training camp. But both players can start building their case during OTA’s. 

“They have to learn the system first, then go out here and participate in practice and then produce and make the right reads and throws,” Redskins HC Jay Gruden said via ESPN’s John Keim. “It’s going to be a process. It’s the very, very beginning.”

While Haskins is still working on learning the entire playbook, the Redskins have put more of a focus on adding details to the plays he does know. 

“I know what I’m doing with my eyes in the right place,” Haskins said. “When you know where your eyes are supposed to be, it makes it a lot easier being able to read safety keys and read protections. You play fast when you know what you’re doing. Like I said, it’s all in the makings of watching film, studying after hours, and playing. When I’m on my P’s and Q’s, I feel pretty good about it.”

While Haskins is the clear quarterback of the future, Keenum has an early advantage by virtue of not being a rookie. He still has to learn a new offense, but Keenum said there are some similarities to the offense he ran with the Vikings. 

“Very quarterback-friendly,” Keenum said of Gruden’s offense. “I’m trying to soak it up, all that I can, and apply what I’ve known in my experience and what I’ve known and done before. I’m coming at this with a fresh start.”